The Compassion Of Jesus

Nowadays we are used to hearing about 'carers' - people who look after those who are not able to look after themselves. The word carer is a good word. In the Bible there is a special word which is related to caring. It is the word translated 'compassion' or 'pity' (ESV), or 'deeply moved' (The Message). The word always applies only to Jesus or is used in the two great parables Jesus told, the 'good Samaritan' and the 'prodigal Son.' Compassion means more than caring. It is the sense of pity that breaks the heart. This was seen so often in Jesus' life on earth — he touched and healed the leper, he raised the dead son of the widow in Nain, he saw the crowds as lost sheep and fed them. Jesus was the great, compassionate Saviour. What was true of Jesus must also be true of us if we are Christians. The non-Christian world can be a harsh, cruel place — a pitiless place — unless Christian values prevail. So as Christians we must show the compassion of Christ as 'good Samaritans' in a bruised and lost world.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you that you had compassion on me when I was a lost sinner. Please help me now to show your compassion and love to the people I meet. Amen